Furrier&#39;s knife



H.STOCK FURRIERS KNIFE *Filed July 25, 1941 -March 9, 1943.

L. AHERMAN STOCK,

Patented Mar. 9, 1943 UNETE STATES @ATENE GFFICE 2 Claims.

I lies the provision of a blade holder or handle of improved construction so that even with the reduced size of the blade a` rm and substantial grip is maintained upon the razor blade itself.

Another object herein lies in the provision of a device of the class described which, although it maintains the cutting blade firmly in position, permits the ready and simple substitution of a new or sharp blade when the blade in the holder becomes dulled.

While the furriers knives of this general class are well known, they have been open to the objections of: (l) requiring unnecessarily large blades in order to obtain proper cutting action and a rm grip thereon; (2) losing the ability to iirmly clamp the blade after a period of wear and use; (3) being uncomfortable to the operators hand when in use.

Another object herein lies in the provision of a furriers knife in which these disadvantages are overcome and which by reason of the improved construction may be manufactured in large quantities at relatively low cost with a consequent wide distribution and use.

These objects and other incidental ends and advantages will more fully appear in the progress of the disclosure and be pointed out. in the appended claims.

In the drawing similar reference characters designate corresponding parts throughout the several views in which:

Figure l is a thumb side elevational View of a preferred embodiment of the invention in closed or operative position with a cutting blade in place.

Figure 2 is a finger side fragmentary elevational view as might be seen from the rear of Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a thumb side elevational View taken similarly to Figure l with the parts in the open or blade changing position thereof.

Figure l is an enlarged vertical sectional view as seen from the plane lis-4 of Figure l.

-Figure 5 is a bottom plan view of the device shown in Figure l with the pair of holder elements in a separated condition. In this View, the holder elements are aligned but the forward portions thereof are spaced.

Figure 6 is an enlarged top plan view of the device shown in `Figure 1.

Figures 7 and 8 are side elevational views of two halves of a known double edge type razor blade which has been bis-acted to form two separate cutting blades.

In accordance with the invention, the furrers knife generally indicated by numeral i0, comprises a holder l I and a blade I2.

The bla-de l2 is formed by equally bisecting a known double edge Vtype safety razor blade so that cutting blades l2 and I3 result.

As seen best in Figures '7 and 8, the cutting blades l2 land I3 will have cutting edges lll and i5, piercing points i3 and H, pin engaging slots i8 and i9, stud engaging indentations 20 and 2|, unused indentations 22 and 23, and front edges 24 and 25, respectively. v

The holder Il includes a pair of holder elements 26 and 2l. The holder elements are preferably of identical irregular peripheral conguration, best seen in Figures 1 and 3 of the accompanying drawing, and having yblade engaging portions 28 and 29 disposed at the forward ends thereof. The holder elements 26 and 21 at the rear ends thereof are relatively reduced in size so as to form handle portions r3i) and 3| which are pivotally interconnected by means of a rivet 32. The front edges 3G and 35 ofthe holder elements 26 and 27, respectively, are angularly disposed andinclude recess-e533 and 31. The pointed ends 38 and 3d of the holder elev ments are slightly bent inwardly toward each other as best seen in Figure 5, while the handle portions and 3l are slightly bent .at 4B and il so that the forward portions of the holder elements, when in normal unstressed condition, take a position as seen in Figure 5. k -The bla-de engaging portions 28 and l29 are formed by the set backs l2 and 123 and the edges of said set backs are chamfered so that no sharp edges are disposed near the `blade yto catch the hairs of the fur as the pelt is cut.

AThe holder element `2l which is the finger side of the device, since in normal use the outer surface 44 thereof is engaged by the second, third and fourth ingers of a right handed operator, is provided on the inner surface d5 thereof with a rojection or pin dii and a headed stud 41; AThe projection or pin A1lb is preferably riveted tothe holder element 2l within a suitably disposed orifice and the portion thereof which projects inwardly of the device, that is to say forwardly of the surface 45 as Viewed in Figure 3, takes the form of a boss or squat cylinder having a smooth circular periphery. The diameter of the pin or boss 45 is substantially equal to or slightly less than the opposed edge portions of the pin engaging slots I8 or I9. The thickness of the boss or pin 4B, that is to say, the lateral extension of the said pin outwardly from the surface 45, is preferably substantially equal to the combined thickness of a blade I2 and the holder element 26 which is provided with an orifice 48 slightly larger than the pin 46.

The stud 41 is preferably riveted to the holder element 21 in a manner best seen in Figure 4 within a suitably disposed orifice in said element. The portion of the stud 41 projecting inwardly of the device and laterally outwardly of the surface 45, includes a shank 49 and a head 59. The length of the shank 49 is preferably substantially equal to, or slightly less than the thickness of the holder element 25, the blade I2 and one side portion of the linger rest locking member I. The holder element 25 is provided with an orifice 52 which is slightly larger than the diameter of the head 59. The diameter of the shank 49 is preferably of such size that the same may seat itself properly within the stud engaging indentation 29 of a standard double edge type safety razor blade. The spacing between the shank 49 and the projection or pin 45 is preferably substantially equal to the distance between the identation 25 and the slot I8, so that the blade I2 may be placed upon the surface 45 by rst inserting the indentation under the head 50 of the stud 41, and then moving the blade arcuately toward the surface 45 about the indentation 29 as a center, until the slot I8 passes over the pin 45.

The finger rest locking member is preferably formed from a single piece of sheet material and is substantially U shape in cross section. Locking member 5I includes a top wall or finger rest portion 53 and a pair of normally downwardly extending holder element engaging members 54 and 55. 55 is relatively short in height and is adapted when in a closed position of the locking member 5I to engage the holder element 21 within the area of the recess 31. The holder element engaging member 54 is relatively greater in height than the member 55 and is provided at the rear end thereof with an orifice through which it is pivotally attached to the uppermost portion of the holder element by means of a rivet 55. The upper portion of the holder element engaging member 55 is adapted to engage the forward edge 34 within the area of the recess 35. The lower edge 58 of the member 54 is provided with an open ended slot 59. The slot 59 is of irregular configuration, best seen in Figure 3, and is so arranged that when the device is in the closed or operative position thereof, the locking member 5I may be arcuately rotated about the rivet 5S and the shank 49 may enter the slot 59 until the shank 49 becomes fully seated at the upper or closed end of the slot 59. In order to permit the intimate contact of the inner opposed surfaces 45 and 33 when the: device is in the closed position thereof, the uppermost portion of the holder element 21 is provided with an orice 60 into which the head of the rivet 56 may enter. The rivet 55 is preferably of a tight fit so that The holder element engaging member;-

rotary movement of the locking member 5I thereby is slightly frictionally inhibited.

The operation of the device is substantially as follows: With the parts of the device in the position shown in Figure 3 (except the blade I2), a whole razor blade of the double edge type is bisected diagonally along the line 6I as seen in Figure 8 and let us say the half I2 is taken and the indentation 20 is placed under the head 50 of the stud 41 with the edge of the indentation 2O engaging the shank 49. The body of the blade 2U is lowered until the pin 46 enters the slot I8 at the widest portion thereof and the blade will appear as seen in Fig. 3. It may be noted at this point that while the slot I8 is shown as being open ended, any suitable orifice in the blade I2 occupying the position of the widest portion of the slot I8 would operate equally well. The holder element 26 is moved downwardly from the position it occupied in Figure 3 until it is in alignment with the element 21.. The forward portions of the elements 26 and 21 are compressed manually toward each other so that the head 59 is disposed above the outer surface 62 of the element 25. This will result in a compression upon the blade I2. Next, the locking element 5I is pushed downwardly so that the forward edges 34 and 35 are retained in contact with each other by the inner opposed surfaces of the members 54 and 55. Simultaneously with this operation, the slot 59 will engage the shank l 49, the member 54 passing under the head 5U. The device and blade will now appear as in Figure l. By reason of the close t of the parts which is a function of the effective length of the shank 49, with relation to the adjacent part thicknesses, the elements 28 and 21 with the blade I2 therebetween, are put under relatively high pressure and by convergence of the pointed ends 33 and 39, a relatively high degree of pressure exists over the entire area of the blade concealed between the elements 26 and 21, thus providing a readily replaceable blade which is immobile with relation to the device. When it becomes necessary to replace the blade by reason of dullness or breakage, this becomes a relatively simple operation by reversing the steps just described.

It may thus be seen that although the blade is of relatively small size, it is placed under considerable pressure throughout the area thereof which lies between the holder elements, and that this pressure is promoted both by the clamping action of the locking member 5I upon the forward edges 34 and 35, and also by reason of the tension produced in the shank 49. While normally continued use and pressure outwardly upon the members 54 and 55 would tend to make the U shape more obtuse, this is prevented by the action of the slot `59 in connection with the stud 41. It may also be noted at this point that when the locking member 5i is in the closed position thereof, the upper outer surface, that is to say, the top wall 53, acts as a smooth surface upon which pressure may be made by the index nger of the operator, thus reducing fatigue and promoting comfort and efficient operation. It may also be noted that by reason of the fact that the stud 41 performs a double function of both acting as a guide and retainer for an indentation on the blade and acting as a cooperative locking element in connection with the locking member 5I, the simplicity and low cost of manufacture of the device is promoted.

The recesses 36 and 31 permit the outer or top Wall of the linger rest locking member to lie flush with the forwardmost portions of the edges 34 and 35 so that no sharp protuberances occur in the areas normally likely to be contacted by the operators index iinger.

I Wish it to be understood that I do not desire to be limited to the exact details of the construction shown and described, for obvious modifications Will occur to a person skilled in the art.

I claim:

1. In a knife for cutting fur or the like: the combination With a section of a razor blade of the double edge type having a cutting edge, a diagonal front edge angularly disposed with relation to said cutting edge, a pin engaging slot, and a stud engaging indentation in a third edge; of a holder for said blade section comprising a pair of holder elements having blade engaging portions adapted to enclose the upper portion of said razor blade section, each of said holder elements having a handle portion; said handle portions being pivotally interconnected for movement in substantially parallel planes, one of said holder elements having a blade engaging pin to pass through said slot and a blade engaging headed stud under which the said indentation is insertable, the other holder element having an aperture to receive said headed stud; a finger rest locking member having at least a part thereof substantially U shape in transverse section, having holder element engaging members, said locking member being pivotally connected to and outwardly of one of said holder elements and swingable into a position in which the holder element engaging members of the U shape portion straddle both holder elements to hold them together, one of said holder element engaging members having a slot arcuately disposed concentrically with relation to the pivotal connection of the locking member, said last mentioned slotI engaging said stud between its head and the nearest holder element.

2. A knife for cutting fur or the like, for use with a section of a razor blade having a cutting edge, a diagonal front edge angularly disposed With relation to said cutting edge, a pin engaging slot, and a stud engaging indentation in a third edge, comprising: a holder for said blade section including a pair of holder elements having blade engaging portions adapted to enclose the upper portions of said razor blade section; each of said holder elements having a handle portion, said handle portions being pivotally interconnected for movement in substantially parallel planes, one of said holder elements having a blade engaging pin passable through said slot and a blade engaging headed stud under which the said indentation is insertable, the other holder element having an aperture to receive said headed stud; a ringer rest locking member having at least a part thereof substantially U shape in transverse section, having holder element engaging members, said locking member being pivotally connected to and outwardly of one of said holder elements and movable into a position in which the holder element engaging members of the U shape portion straddle both holder elements to maintain them together, one of said holder element engaging members having a slot, said last mentioned slot engaging said stud between its head and the nearest holder element.

HERMAN STOCK. 

